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Author
Topic: Hello Ladies (Read 9736 times)

Hello ladies. I am new to this forum and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Wendy. I live in Richardson, Texas. I am 35 years old. I have been positive for 15 years. I was tested positive while pregnant with my second son Justin in 1992. Justin passed away in 1997 and my husband Michael in 2001. I have an 18 year old son who is not HIV positive. He lives in his own apartment. Please don't feel obligated to convey your condolences. I realise it is awkward to read about someones losses and not know what to say or how you should respond to them about it. I'm Ok, for the most part. I've lived with my boyfriend Billy for the last 4 years. He has been positive for 18 years. I met him thru a local HIV hetero social group. I work part time Monday thru Thursday for an insurance agent and on Fridays I visit a mentally ill elderly man to refill his pill box, draw his insulin syringes and his take care of his household needs. My last CD4 count was 77 and my viral load is undetectable. I just started taking meds again. I made a huge mistake and took a drug holiday. But I wont do that again so don't worry about that. The lowest my tcells have been was 3 and the highest was about 800 I think.

I'm not shy so if you have any questions I'll answer them to the best of my ability.I look forward to getting to know you all better.

I'm not a big country music fan. My late husband was. That particular song's lyrics are strong.I'm fairly eclectic but I've mellowed out the last few years. The heavy stuff is weeding its way out and the stuff my parents used to listen to is working its way in. LOL

Hi Wendy and welcome to the forums. I just got done reading your post in the dating thread about your bf going out to kill Bambi.

I'm so sorry about your son's and husband's death. That would be such a tough thing to take. Anytime you need to talk about it, talk. We're here for you.

It's nice that you have a hetero support group there. Wish we had one here, but I doubt if we did there would be very many people attending. I'm glad you found love again! That's really cool.

I never did get into my parent's style of music. I'm 42 yrs old, and still rocking out. I like mostly classic rock, but I've been known to listen to the new stuff sometimes. I have a 23-year old daughter who lives in Washington (state) and two grandchildren (ages 7 and 3) who live not too far away. My daughter gave up custody of her kids a couple years ago. A lady, who was always helping with the kids, adopted them both, and I still get to see them regularly. My granddaughter is the 7-year old and I have a grandson who's 3. My daughter knew she couldn't take care of them the way they deserved, so that's why she did that. My granddaughter's father is in her life, but my grandson's father is not. I don't even think the grandson's father knows about him, but I'm not sure. I'm sure there will be questions from my grandson when he gets older. My granddaughter is getting used to the fact that she has a new "mom" now. She still talks to my daughter from time-to-time and is doing better than she was. She had a pretty rough time for awhile.

I tested HIV+ in 1989, when I was in treatment for drug/alcohol abuse. My first husband died three days after I got my test results. He's the one who infected me, but that's not what killed him. Alcoholism did. And he was only 29. His heart failed because he just drank too much all of the time. I'm sure his weakened immune system didn't help it either. But on his death certificate, under the cause of death, it says "Acute Alcohol Intoxication." That was a really hard one to get through. Anyway, I haven't drank any alcohol since about '88, haven't used any illegal drugs since 1989. But I did get strung out on prescription medication i.e. high amounts of Valium, Vicodin ES, Morphine, and an enermous amount of Dextroamphetamine. A psychiatrist was prescribing all of that, plus high amounts of hormones (Estrogen, Progesterone) and high amounts of thyroid medication. So, when I got clean this last time (a little over two years ago) it was extremely difficult. It was harder to withdraw off of all that shit than it was off of heroin or booze.

Now, I'm going to school full-time to get a bachelor's in psychology and working part-time. I have an associate's in law enforcement and I am a certified executive medical assistant. I should be done with this degree in about a year.

So, now you know something about me. Sorry if I rattled.

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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Hi Wendy. Great to get to know you (sorry it was here). First of all I would like to tell you how sorry I am that you have had to face such great personal loss at such an early age, and how strong you sound. You are a beautiful woman.

I'll introduce myself. My name is Lorraine (aka Lostgirl) and I am a 51 year old scottish woman living in Houston, Texas where my husband was transferred last year. We only found out we were both HIV+ two months ago when my husband had suffered all this year from various illness, eventually having an HIV test in August. He wasn't tested earlier as we didn't fit the 'profile'. Country people, simple life, no drugs, etc etc. I was distraught when I first found out but have quickly come to terms with it all (thats the hardy Scots lass in me!). My husband started meds six weeks ago and is doing very, very well. Looks 10 years younger (VL down from 1.6 million to 3,000). I started meds last Sat and doing not too badly. Few minor side effects but early days yet. I have found a new strength and am looking to train as an HIV/AIDS Counselor and Educator - your never too old to start a new life. I now look on my life as having begun over again. Life begins at 50! (Preferably without this cowardly virus but hell, if it makes me a stronger more empathetic person, so be it!).

Where in Texas (big State isn't it?) are you? Maybe one day we can meet up for a coffee and a chat!! I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing from you in these wonderful Forums (bless the day I found them!).HugsLorraine

I love my social group. We meet usually once a month. Sometimes we have parties at each others houses, sometimes we will meet at a bowling alley or restaurant or some other public place. Hanging out with other positive people has a way of making life feel more normal. I'm blessed to have that in my life. Yahoo groups has various groups like the one I am a member of. Could be one located near you.

I live in a suburb just north of Dallas. So Houston would be one heck of a drive for coffee. LOL

Winniroo,I know I am not supposed to be here but could not help myself. I do know how you feel with the loss of your son and I am very sorry. I lost my 3 year old daughter several years ago. I know why you wrote for people that there is no need for condolences. It is hard for people to know what to say and I understand that too now.

Well damn, I guess I am late cause I had mentioned you introducing yourself in the dating thread. I definitely like your sense of humor so this should be fun since I seem to be the main one who clowns around from time to time. Welcome to the Forums...

Hi Wendy,I would of welcomed you sooner,but i haven't been online for awhile..

Sorry for your losses, now you just take care of you..Get that tcell back up there.

Oh btw, You just took yourself off of meds right? How long were you on meds, and atwhat time did you stop,,and for how long.

I am truly thinking about taking a drug holiday....I have been taking pills since 2002 before that I wasn't on meds for 16 yrs and did good until that day came where I had no energy..Knew something was wrong..

MY tcells were down to 27..that's when I got on the meds..So I have been taking these meds for a bit over 5 yrs......and I just want to see howI will feel, if I dont take them for a month or so...What do you gurls think?? Opinions please...

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Live Love Laugh and dance like no ones watching.Laughter is the best medicine, so try to have a laugh everyday..Even if your not feeling your best, think about something that was funny at one time in your life and work with it.. )

Yep, I took myself off my meds and I did not do it supervised. Meaning I wasnt going in to have my labs done. The clinic I use decided to remove all PA's from the clinic and hire NA's. I had the same PA since 1992 and was upset that she was no longer going to be able to care for me. I didnt want to see someone new and was a baby about it.I was off meds for two years roughly. I had done one before supervised and was off meds for two years with no problems. Talk to your doc about it though. If you are drug resistant it might be a bad idea.

I'm not saying you should but if you decide to take a holiday never ever do it unsupervised. Make sure your doctor knows what you are doing and you are getting your labs done regularly. I'd suggest every 3 months if not more.